(Jodi) It's a Wrap!

Last night the vision team visited the Common Hope headquarters and loaded up on supplies for the trip. We ventured into their warehouse, filled and weighed our bags for the journey. Each of our bags weighed between 40 and 50 lbs. and were filled with letters, electronic equipment, hats, scarves, stuffed animals and other personal items.

The first of many tears welled up in my eyes as I learned that one of my co-workers had donated some essential supplies that only a parent of a small child would appreciate. It blew me away needless to say. I will proudly be carrying those items in my bag and will always remember the generosity of my co-worker, Karl.

Following is the link to our Common Hope photo journal and we hope that you will follow us throughout the trip. http://www.commonhope.org/get-involved/join-a-vision-team/vision-team-diary/12bb2-photo-diary/

(Jodi) About Last Night

Last night our Vision Team got together to start brainstorming ideas for our team led activities in Guatemala. There were so many great ideas and creative ways to introduce the students to us and our lives in Minnesota. We wanted the activities to be fun, interesting and a new experience for student aged kids. We're focusing on 3 ideas: Letters from a Minnesota 3rd Grade Class, a Scavenger Hunt that involves beads and making really cool jewelry and finally a highly spirited wiffle ball game. We're really excited and hope these ideas will come to life as we have envisioned.

We were recently introduced again to the daily activities that we will be involved in. Each day will include 2, 4 hour sessions. We'll sign up for those activities when we get there but to give an idea: construction, warehouse work, a day in the life activities, our team led activities and much more. I personally can't wait to sign up for the day in the life because that involves shadowing a local person and doing what they do! It's a great way to totally immerse oneself in the culture and understand what life is like.

I have been thinking a lot about what it might be like to be a woman in Guatemala. Obviously I know what my role is in American society, and I'm betting the role my female counterpart plays in Guatemala won't be that much different. Women represent many things and play many roles in society but we are mostly gatherers (not hunters) and nurturers for the family unit. I can't wait to put my theory to the test and make a real-life connection with one of my Guatemalan sisters.

(Jodi) Whatta Night!

I'm still recovering from our event at Shaw's. Voodoo Butter and Pioneer Son were two distinct bands that played very different music. I loved the energy that both bands brought to the evening. It was a great night for lots of reasons. We celebrated a milestone with many of our friends and family that have supported us throughout the first phase of our mission. It was fun to hang out with my vision team members and get to know them better in a very relaxed environment and finally, because we are now ready to move into the next phase of planning... the real stuff that feeds the soul.

I am so thrilled and humbled by the support we have received from so many people. One of my co-workers offered to teach us Spanish phrases so we'll be able to engage in some common conversations. That is so thoughtful! A friend and co-worker has hooked me up with potential transportation to the airport! I can't believe I'm thinking about that! Okay... so I'm a planner. I can believe it.

Brianna from Common Hope is coming out to see us on Thursday. We will start planning our activities for when we are on the ground in Guatemala. We are so close to making this a reality! I'll be meeting with our peer vision team leader on Thursday and can't wait to hear about their trip. How is it that I am so lucky in this life?

(Sara) It's Really Happening!

This past weekend, our peer Vision Team group (a different team of Best Buy employees) made their trip to Guatemala.  All of us on team GuatemAll-In have been watching their progress via a Tumblr site set up for them to document the ins and outs of being a Common Hope Vision Team on the ground in Antigua.  It's been so inspiring to see photos and read their first-hand accounts of what they're doing down there.  And it's made me realize...that our trip is really happening! 

Today marks the 5th anniversary of the date that my brother and sister-in-law took custody of my niece Molly, who spent the first 10 months of her life living in a fantastic foster home in Guatemala City.  Molly was well-cared for and loved by her foster family, which was such a comfort to our entire family. 

Between our peer Vision Team's arrival in Antigua, and this anniversary date that is so special to my family, I feel a renewed sense of purpose for why I wanted to be part of team GuatemAll-In.  I think I can probably speak for our entire team when I say that so much of our time and energy relative to this trip has been focused on the fundraising.  And so, perhaps, the actual end-goal has been a little obscured behind planning events and counting dollars & cents.  But knowing that our peer team is there, doing the kind of work we'll be doing, has been an eye-opener.  And with just about 6 weeks to go before we leave for Antigua, I can't wait!

(Ben) With your help, we did it! Let's Celebrate!

(Jodi) Let's Get Ready to Rock!

We are planning our most celebratory fundraising event yet! Yes, it's time to celebrate with friends, family and Voodoo Butter on February 11, 2012. We are still working out the details and will post time and location very soon. We're going to rock the house for a really great cause. Mark you calendars and prepare for a fun night.

We've harvested grapes, set up shop at a boxing match, cooked and baked our hearts out, bowled, dined and now it's time to party. Hope to see you there!

(Sara)Girl's Night Out for Common Hope

Last night, a fantastic group of women came together for a Girl's Night Out fundraiser for Common Hope. Unlike the other fundraisers that team GuatemAll-In has done, this one was a little bit smaller and it was coordinated by me and a Best Buy co-worker who's part of a different Vision Team. Amy and I have been work friends for a few years, and were pleasantly surprised to find out that we're both working with Common Hope. Her team is headed to Guatemala in February, about a month before Team GuatemAll-In goes.

Amy came up with the great idea of co-hosting a dinner party at a terrific Minneapolis restaurant called Citizen Cafe. Citizen Cafe is is a neighborhood restaurant that prepares fresh food daily. Every item on their menu is prepared from scratch. And with a 52-person capacity, it was the perfect spot for Amy and I to bring together our friends for an evening of girl talk, networking and great food!

We had a terrific turnout - including Jodi, Julie and Amanda - which was really gratifying.  Friends from all over the city and as far away as Waseca (hi, Ann!) mixed and mingled, helping raise funds for Amy and me to contribute to our Vision Teams. 

As a way to get the conversation going for the evening, Amy and I asked our friends to answer three questions: Where do you like to shop? What's your favorite restaurant?  Can you recommend a bottle of wine that's $15 or less?  We pulled the answers together and gave them to each of the attendees.  I'm definitely going to toss the "Drink This" card in my purse for handy reference the next time I'm staring down an aisle full of wine bottles at the wine shop!